Are you spinning out of control? The bills are piling up. The IEP meetings are so stressful. My child’s behaviors are getting more severe. You haven’t gone out to dinner in forever. You worry about the future of your child. Your marriage is struggling. We have to go to so many different doctor appointments. You are struggling with your job or you are … [Read more...]
Will Medicaid Determine Where our Children Live?
If you're reading this blog, you love a child—maybe several children—with a disability. I don’t know how old he is, or what her disability might be. I don’t know if you’re a mom, a dad, a grandparent, an aunt, uncle, or caregiver. I can safely guess that everything within you desires for this beautiful child to grow into his or her God-given potential. It’s hard to fathom when … [Read more...]
DUMB…The Power of Words Rooting
“…will she always look DUMB...” Those words were like nails running down a chalk board. We were shocked. Before I proceed, you need to understand the background. Fayth, our daughter with Down syndrome, was just 6 months old at the time. We had traveled out to California for Christmas to be with my family. Fayth was also only 3 months out of her open-heart surgery. To put it lightly, my wife … [Read more...]
What If She Lives With Us Forever?
Call me crazy, but one of the first thoughts that crossed my mind when my daughter was born with Down syndrome was, “Will she live with us forever?” When my oldest was born, a typical baby girl, those thoughts would have felt so…outrageous! I mean, who thinks about their child moving out the day they’re born? But with Nichole it was different, Down syndrome rocked me and I was immediately … [Read more...]
Special needs school of life – just keep going
Special needs school of life - just keep going A few Saturdays ago, my husband Sergei and I took Polly and Evangeline, our two daughters with special needs (Polly has Down syndrome and Moyamoya, Evie has autism and Down syndrome) to play soccer in an AYSO program built for families affected by disability in Chicago. A friend from the girls' school told us about it. "Just sign up. It's great. It … [Read more...]
101 Ideas for Keeping Your Child with Special Needs Busy All Summer
Already wondering how you're going to fill those long summer days? We've got 101 fun ideas to keep you and the kids (or grandkids) busy! Plant a garden Find a pen pal Start a new collection Climb a tree Make crock-pot apple sauce Play in the sprinkler (affiliate link) Pick strawberries Water balloon toss Try essential oils (tips on using lavender from My Blessed … [Read more...]